“A delicate matter, you say? Well, go ahead. I’ll try to give you the best advice I can.”

“No, I mean, a delicate matter regarding your account.”

“My account?”

Yes. You see, you have an outstanding debt.”

“Really, well thank you very much.”

“I think you may have misheard me. I said your debt is outstanding.”

“Oh, it’s nothing really.”

“I wish that were true, Mr. Karyudo, but your debt is not nothing.”

“It’s not?”

“No, it’s something.”

“Really?”

“Yes, it’s really something.”

“That’s great! Thank you so much again. Wonderful speaking to you. Goodbye.”

As regular readers are no doubt aware, I’m about to start a new job in a couple of days. As part of my preparations, I’ve been inundated with massive amount of information, not all of which is in my first language. I’m finding the going extremely tough. I am, to be perfectly frank, not at all sure I’ll be able to cram so many facts into so little brain.

Despite my ever-friendly bank manager, I can’t afford to make any mistakes with this job, so I’m going to take a writing break while I concentrate on not getting fired. This will be the first time since I started the blog two years ago that I’ve gone completely offline. I’m worried about it, of course, but I have very little choice. Blogging doesn’t pay the mortgage. In fact, working doesn’t seem to do that either.

Anyway, I’ll see you whenever I next get a little free time. Wish me luck!